STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR LE LUONG MINH,

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF VIET NAM AT THE MEETING  OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEM

“THE SITUATION IN SIERRA LEONE”

(8 June 2009)

 

 

Mr. President,

I begin by welcoming the participation of Her Excellency Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, in today’s meeting of the Council and thanking her for her statement.

I also thank Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg, Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), and His Excellency Ambassador John McNee of Canada in his capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Country-Specific Configuration on Sierra Leone, for their briefings.

Mr. President,

  My Delegation shares the concerns about the recent outbreak of political and security tensions in Sierra Leone which underscores the still fragile situation that requires  continued and urgent attention. Apart from  the increasing  division along regional lines  over the country, Sierra Leone is having to deal with  the emerging threat of piracy, illicit drug trafficking and illegal trade in natural resources, uncontrolled migration to urban centres, high numbers of unemployed and under-employed youth, the reduction in remittances and other adverse effects of the global financial dowturn. All of these challenges have the potential of creating an environment conducive to further violence.

In that context, we welcome the signing of the 2 April Joint Communiqué in which the parties in Sierra Leone  committed to a cessation of all acts of political intolerance and violence and agreed upon a bipartisan consensus on important national institutions and policies. We take positive note of the strengthened cooperation between Sierra Leone and the UN Country Team, the Peacebuilding Commission and other development partners to strengthen areas of focus and principles of national ownership, mutual accountability and sustained engagement as contained in the UN’s Peacebuilding Strategy for Sierra Leone and the Joint Vision of the UN Family for Sierra Leone. We are further encouraged by the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone to translate its Agenda for Change into further concrete results, particularly in such critical areas as fighting corruption, reforming the security sector, creating jobs for and empowering youths and combatting  drug traffking and organized crimes.

Mr. President,

While commending the efforts by UNIPSIL in carrying out its new mandate stipulated in Security Council resolution 1829 (2008), we believe that well-coordinated and integrated cooperation among UN agencies, regional organizations and international donors remains essential so as to ensure maximal use of resources, avoid duplication of work and help serve the best interests of Sierra Leone in each particular phase of development.

Finally, I wish to reaffirm that  Viet Nam will continue to support the efforts of Sierra Leone to  sustain peace and stability, address the root causes of the conflict, promote national reconciliation and unity, and strengthen its international integration process. We call upon the UN, the Peacebuilding Commission, the AU, ECOWAS and the international community at large to continue to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in these endeavors.

I thank you, Mr. President!